Apparatus for the manufacture of pottery ware



Sept. 22,1942. w. JQM ILLER 2,

v APPARATUS, FOR" THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY WARE,

Filed June 11, 1958 INVENTOR. v MAL/AM JN/L AER,

and operating cam therefor. i C

Patented Sept. '22, 1.942

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF POTTERY WARE William J.Miller,"Swissvale, Pa.

Application June 11; 19381, Serial No. 213,239

7 ohms. (or. 25-22) 'This invention relates to apparatus for themanufacture of potteryware. It has to do with improvements in apparatusfor applying fluid,

for instance water,to the work incident to the operation of profilinggered potteryware,

This application is a continuation in part of in the manufacture of.jigmyco-pending application, Serial No. 29,886, now

Patent No, 2,148,871.

In the manufacture of jiggered p otteryware,

plastic clay is applied to absorbentmolds and profiled for-the purposeof forming and smooth--.. ing, in the case of flatware, the back andfoot of the ware, and in the case of hollowware, the interior. In eithercase,excess clay is removed from the surface of the "work and fluid(water) is applied incident to this operation for the purpose oflubrication;

Figufi is a side elevation of an atomizing nozzle.

Figlfi'a is a view Fig. 6.-

Fig. 7 is adayout of a fluid system for use with the atomizingnozzle ofFigifi. A

Fig.8 is a sectional elevation of another form of atomizing nozzle. l

Fig. 9 is a detail partly in section of a profile unit formakinghollowware with visions herein specified. l

During the profiling operationyit is necessary to apply a lubricant suchas water to the surface of the ware toprevent undue drag of the profileblade on the clay and assist in polishing the surface ofthe ware atthetermination of the The present improvements will enable thereliable andaccurate application of fluid in the exact amount required to the properzones and at the proper ins'tant for such classes of round, jiggeredpotteryware as cups, saucers, plates, bowls, etc, My inventioncomprehends improvements in fluid applying and control means enablingvariation of the lubrication in the respects hereinbefore enumerated tothereby obtain the most eflicient and the desired setting and operationin accordance with the requirements of any one class of ware being'made.

The objects of the invention are? to provide for the predetermined,selective, reliable and uniform application of fluid in accordance withthe requirements of the ware undergoing fabrication; to conserve fluidand avoid promiscuous application, to improve the quality of the wareand avoid-rough backs, tool marks and slurrying and to provide forcontrolled lubrication in the manufacture of ware of the classdescribed.

The present improvements may, if desired, be

of manufacturing in succession .wars of the same.

or different type, size and form.

profiling operation. The application of thiswater has a considerablebearing on the quality of the ware produced. The quantity of waterapplied, the time of application, duration of application, the locationand angle of impact and the number of applications are extremelyimportant in this connection.

In Fig. 1,.left hand side, is shown afluid ap-j plication nozzle 23jawhich may be of any suitable type suchas forinstance that shown at Fig.2, 6 or 8,\vhich wouldnormally besuspended sources under controlrofvalves la, lb, [0 and Id A respectively, each beinginterposed' in afluid line which communicates with the pipe 23m, Any one or all of thesevalves may be cam operated so as to operate insequence or inany timingorder desired. In each line is disposed globe valves Fig. 1 is adiagrammaticillustration of a fluid applyingsystem and controls thereforemploy- V inga single or a multiple of outlets; v A

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a non-drip fluid applyinginstrumentality.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a control.

Fig. 4 is a section taken onthe line l4 of Fig. 5 is a plan view of thecontrolof Fig. 3

Mn, 2311123112 and 23113 respectively," each valve being adjustablebyhand to control the fluid flow into the line23mfl, Furthermore, eachline isprovided with a check valve 230, 230, 2302,

and 2303 respectively to prevent back flow or As for the valves la, lb,lo and id, certain of these 'may be connected in lines supplying hottaken on the line 6a-6a of lubrication pro may be used in the treatingof the clay undergoing fabrication. Also, the pressure may vary asbetween lines, for instance, the valve Ia may be interposed in a highpressure line and the valve Id in a low pressure line. Therefore, byclosing one or more of the valves 23 2311', 23 2 or 23113, that portionof the stream controlled by that particular valve is eliminated so thatan interrupted stream or a stream of less duration depending on whichvalves are closed is applied.

As an example of how the system would operate, say for instance in themaking of large flat ware, with the machines disclosed in my copendingapplications, the mold with the clay blank thereon is elevated intoco-operation with the profile whilst the mold is rotating at acomparatively high speed. The speed of mold rota- I and possibly rippingor an over-supply with consequent slurrying and softening of the pieceis to be avoided.

Assuming that the initial cutting operation is light and therefore thelubrication requirements correspondingly reduced, the valve la can betimed to operate just before or at the time the tool first engagestheWare to make a moderate application but if the peak requirement comes onquickly and the need for lubricant therefor greatly increased, valve Idmay be timed to cut in at the precise instant to increase the volume bythe amount needed, or if the peak is gradually reached, valves Ib, loand Id may cut in in succession to increase the flow and then be cut outas the peak passes and polishing ensues which would require less fluidif harmful slurrying is to be avoided. Inasmuch as the entire profilingoperation consumes only a very small interval of time, viz: two or threeseconds, it is advantageous to provide for instantaneous increases ordecreases in fluid supply which may involve the use of individual highand-low pres-' sure lines rather than the control from a single linethrough one valve.

The lubrication requirements may also be taken care of by employing amultiple of nozzles adapted to service particular zones or portions ofthe ware undergoing profiling. Referring to the right hand View, Fig. 1,instead of connecting each fluid line to a main header 23m, as shown inthe left hand view, each line is connected to an individual nozzle shownat a'b, 7'c, id and y'e respectively, the check valves being eliminatedbut the hand valves 23nd,.23n5, 23116 and 23111 remaining. These nozzlesin practice would be arranged adjacent the profile and directed at thezone of the ware or blank to be supplied with lubricant, for instance ifa plate, the nozzle :ib could be directed on the outer brim zonethereof, the nozzle do on the zone between the brim and the foot of theware, the nozzle :id at the foot itself and the nozzle is at the zoneinside the foot. As a precautionary measure, one of the nozzles could beused for a blanketing spray in case. the others were utilized fordefinite point application and their range held within narrow limits. Inany event, it is the purpose to illustrate that the burden oflubrication of the ware can be distributed between several nozzles forfiner control of distribution.

The flow of fluid is controlled by valves Ia, Ib, I0 and Id as in thecase of the single nozzle system. Each valve would be timed to controlthe flow to its individual nozzle in accordance with the requirements ofthe zone of the ware serviced by such nozzle. Hence, all valves may beopened at the commencement of profiling operations and the flow throughany one or all of the nozzles increased, decreased, interrupted or heldconstant. If closer control is desired, each of the nozzles :ib, 7'0, idand a'e may be connected in a system such as that shown in the left handportion of Fig. 1. This would enable the ap-pli-- cation of fluids ofvarious character at predetermined intervals through any one or all ofthe plurality of nozzles utilized or the high or low pressure jetting orfluids through any one nozzle. Fluids of various character may also beapplied with the multiple nozzle system in which case the character ofthe fluid applied by any one nozzle could not be varied but variousfluids could be applied to the ware, depending on the number of nozzles.

The arrangement shown in the right hand view of Fig. 1 is also adaptableto use in connection with multiple jiggering machines and in that caseeach of the nozzles 7'2), 7'0, id and a'e would be associated with anindividual profiling station. In the event flat ware was being made inline I, then the valve 7'!) would be timed to operate in keeping withthe lubrication requirements of that line, whereas, the nozzle :ie mightbe associated with a cup or hollow ware profile and therefore would betimed to operate in keeping with the requirements of ware of this class.Therefore, the valves Ia to Id inclusive would be individually timed andcontrolled although they may operate from a common actuating member onthe machine.

In regard to character of the jet or stream, it is preferred that thenozzle be constructed to provide for adjustment of the stream from solidstream to finely divided spray and that the spray be adjustable from around to a flat shape.

The nozzle shown in Fig. 2, comprises a pipe 231; having on its end anorificed cap 23q adjustable with respect to a needle valve 23r in orderto vary the cross sectional area of the stream. By properlyproportioning the needle contour with the orifice contour, any desiredshape of stream from a solid stream to an open spray may be obtained,the former serving for definite point application, the latter forpromiscuous application.

Under certain conditions, it may be desirable to retract the nozzle awayfrom the working surface of the ware after it has applied its charge. Inthis connection, the casing 23s, Fig. 2, is provided with an enlargedbore 23y in which works a piston 231; secured to a hollow piston rod230, a spring 2310 being located'between the piston and smaller part ofthe casing. The latter has an inlet 23a: and a bypass port 23t. A gland232 prevents leakage around the piston rod. A lug 24 facilitatessecuring the nozzle to the mounting member, for instance the lead orflexible member 31. The spring 2311) serves to keep the piston normallyin a position adjacent the inlet 23:: and when water is admitted throughvalves such as Ia, Fig. 1, and inlet 23.1., the piston rod and nozzleare forced forward uncovering the port 233i and permitting water to passinto the remain in the hollow manv, so that this st l ture functions tofirst project the nozzle tip to the desired position, then apply a jetof water to the ware surface, and then retract the nozzle tip awayfromtlie ware preventing dripping of,

water onto the same when the device is inactive.

The valves for controlling the application of water from the nozzlesshown in Fig. l are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. A valve casing I50 isprovided with a valve body 24d secured1 by its stem l5a toa star wheel I5bwand provided with three ports 24eand three vents 24f, intermit'tently communicating withports 24g and 24h and leakage port 241' in thecasing so that when the valve is in the position shown in Figh '3, waterfrom the supply line enters ati24g and issues at 2411. and thence to thevarious nozzles. .In the next one-:sixth communicates with 24h and 241'to thereby "connect the nozzle to atmosphere or vacuum.

rotation of the valves, port.24f 25 The means for actuating the valve ofFig. 3 is shown in Fig. 5 as comprising a cam discflOz mounted on ashaft 9d, the shaftfbeing operated in the pottery making functions ofthe pottery machine. The cam disc is provided with a series of threadedopenings 3| into which a numberoi studs ii are secured. These studsengage the teeth of the star wheel I52) and shift the same one:

notch or one-sixth revolution and as the valve requires aone-thirdrevolution from one open to another open position, it followsthat atevery alternate functioning, the valve is, opened and closed.These studs I5 may be placed at various positions on the periphery ofthe cam disc and will serve to adjust or varythe relative instant of andnumber of functions of the fluid control valve duringone cycle. Forinstance, with the control facilities just described, the'n'ozzle 231a,,

Fig. 1,, maybe caused to function a number of times during one completemachine cycle and.

these functionings may be timed to occur at predetermined instants.

The nozzle shown in Fig. 6 is solely for atomizing purposes andis'particularly useful where a spray application is desired more than asolid jet or stream. This nozzle comprises a body 30 having an airpressure connection ll and a water connection 32 arranged at rightangles, the outlet orifice of the air connection being restricted andlocated atthe level of the top of the water pipe outlet. The flow offluid through pipes 3| and 32 isregulated by screws 35 and 35 which havetangential slots 35a. for fluid passages and are located in oil centerrelation as respects the long axis of the pipe bores; These screws alsocontrol the profusity as well as the volume of the the pipe 32 isconnected to a water supply line having a shut offyalve 38, a regulatingvalve 39 and a moveable ventpipe 32a for preventing overflow and dripatthe nozzle when air pressure valve 40. and a mechanically controlledvalve 42 I 96,364 chamber 24a, through o t fl hollow 15 is adjustable onthe shaft to, bring various faces 43-into co-operation with the camfollower. 45

each-cam track representing a different adjust- .ment in the instant ofinitiation and termination of the operation'of. thespray. For instance,in manufacturing small ware the quantity of fluid or number ofapplications required may be less than ,that requiredfor largeware..Hence, in making an adjustment therefor, the valves 4lland mayberegulated 'andeither the cam 43a positioned so that the trackprovidedfor cup making will co-operate with the follower 45 or thefollower and lever 44 shiftedlaterallyof the cam face. i

The location of the spraynozzle 30 and the I angle will depend on. thecharacter of the ware undergoing fabricationI Where, from the characterof the warebeing profiled, it is advisable to direct more than one sprayof, lubricant on the ware i-by asecond nozzle corresponding to thatshown at 30 may be mounted asdescribed on the frame part 38 and.connected. to the fluid control system just described, or if independentcontrolls desired,-thento a separatecontrol system comparableto thatillustrated which may be "timed to operate, at predetermined instants bya second cam ora single multiple faced cam as shown. n g a In Fig. 8 Ihave shown another form of nozzle :generally indicated by the numeral 52which may 30 beregulated to provide either a jet, stream or spray. Thisnozzle may be attached to a supporting membersuch as that shown at 31 bythe ear" 50. An inner-exteriorly threaded nozzle 352a and an outernozzle or shell 52bare adjustably threaded together. "These respectivenozzles may be provided with any number of supply connections such ashose nipples for applying a mixture of treatingv ingredients or mediumsor anyparticular medium separately, and in; the

present instance there are showntwosupply ing provided with a.regulating valve. The inner nozzle is provided with an adjusting pin 51-which 7 tapers into the nozzleextremity and forms a needle valvemanually adjustable, by the thumb plate 48. This enables accurateadjustment, and the lower extremity of the inner nozzle tapers,

into the outer nozzle, so that this same adjustment may be obtained withrespect to the outer nozzle by adj sting the same 'onthe inner nozzle.

7 To insure ce tering of the outer nozzle 52b on 7 so that the'lubricantwill be applied prior to' the is discontinued. The air line has aregulating actuatedby levers 4|, 46 and and a multiple faced cam 43mounted on shaft 43a. The cam the inner nozzle 52, screws 55 and 56 arethreaded into the lower extremity of the outer nozzle.

With reference to Fig. 9, I have shown therein a profiling arrangementtogether with fluid. applying instrumentalities arranged for theproduction of hollow ware, for instance cups. In this case, a profilemounting is supported in the frame 38 and has attached thereto a cupprofile P which is arranged to co-operate with the mold M when it iselevated by the chuck 41. The spray nozzle 30 is shown positioned todirect a spray of fluid across the brim zone of the mold as well as thebrim of'the cup and the interior of the cup. The spray is located behindthe profile in the direction of rotation of the ware coeoperation of thelubricated surface with the profile. If desired, a plurality of thesespray nozzles. may be arranged at the profiling position and actuated insequence orin any order of timing desired by means of thefluid controlsystem shownin either Figs. 1 or 7.

The angle of impact of the jet, stream or spray is determined by thepositional setting of the nozzle. The extent of spread of the jet,

stream or spray depends on the angle at which the nozzle is set, thepressure behind the'application and the needle valve adjustment. Pointor widespread application is therefore easily obtainable as the casedemands and with the various control and regulating features supplied,the individual lubrication requirements of round ware of any standardsize and shape capable of being made on an automatic jigger can be.satisfled through the use of the fluid applying provisions hereinspecified which are universally adaptable thereto.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery articles, the combination witha mold adapted to receive plastic material and a fabricating means ofmechanism for applying lubricantto the said material incident tofabrication comprising, means for applying water in jets to the surfaceof ware undergoing jiggering, a rotary valve controlling the timing ofthe jets, a star wheel for rotating the valve, a power shaft, a disk onthe power shaft having a series of holes pitched in an are adjacent thepath of the star wheel teeth, and drive pins selectively attachable inthe holes of the disc.

2. In apparatus for lubricating potteryware incident to jiggering, afluid applying instrumentality, a fluid line connected thereto andmeansfor controlling the operation of said fluid applyinginstrumentality comprising a valve having a fluid inlet and outlet and arotatable closure, means for rotating said closure comprising a discwith apertures therein and pins disposed in certain of said apertures,said pins being adapted to be rearranged in said apertures to therebyvary the actuation of said valve and the operationof said fluid applyinginstrumentality, and a cam shaft for rotating said cam.

3. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery articles, the combination witha mold adapted to receive a charge of plastic material and a formingmember for cooperation therewith in fabricating the said charge ofmaterial of mechanism for supplying lubricant to the said charge ofmaterial incident to fabrication comprising a fluid nozzle, a fluidsupply line, a timer for intermittently opening and closing said supplyline and means for varying the setting of said timer.

4. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery articles, the combination witha mold adapted to receive plastic material and a forming member ofmechanism for supplying lubricant thereto incident to forming comprisinga nozzle member including a nozzle tip and means for retracting saidnozzle tip from the mold incident to interruption of a fluid applyingoperation in order to prevent dripping of fluid onto the surface of theformed product. I

5. In apparatus for manufacturing jiggered pottery articles, thecombination with a mold adapted to receive a charge of clay and aprofile for cooperating therewith to jigger the clay of mechanism forsupplying lubricant to the clay during jiggering which comprises, afluid nozzle, a fluid supply line, a valve in said line, a timer foropening and closing the supply line valve and means for changing thesetting of the timer to thereby vary the lubrication of the clay duringthe jiggering operation.

6. In apparatus for manufacturing jiggered pottery articles, thecombination with a mold adapted to receive a charge of clay and aprofile for cooperating therewith to jigger the clay of mechanism forsupplying lubricant to the clay during jiggering which comprises, afluid nozzle, a fluid supply line, a valve in said line, a timer foropening and closing the supply line valve, repositionable means forchanging the setting of the timer to thereby vary the lubrication of theclay during the jiggering operation.

7. In apparatus for manufacturing pottery articles, the combination witha mold adapted to receive a charge of plastic clay and a profile forcooperating therewith to jigger the clay of mechanism for supplyinglubricant to said clay incident to profiling comprising a fluid nozzle,a fluid supply line, n. valve in said line, a timer for intermittentlyopening and closing the supply line valve having means for varying thesetting of the timer including a plurality of actuating means operableto actuate the valve said last named means being relatively movable tovary the time of opening or closing of the valve.

WILLIAM J. MILLER.

